About this Research Topic
Microorganisms are pivotal players in the biogeochemical transformations of numerous elements, including heavy metals and metalloids, and their metabolic activities significantly influence the speciation, mobility, and toxicity of these contaminants. Their actions are interconnected with the biogeochemical cycling of other elements and pollutants, highlighting the complexity of environmental systems. Therefore, exploring the diversity, function, and associated processes of microorganisms involved in these transformations is integral to our understanding and sustainable management of environmental health.
The problem addressed in this Research Topic is the need to understand the microbial diversity, function, and processes involved in the redox reactions of heavy metals, metalloids, and related pollutants. Despite their crucial role in biogeochemical cycling, the specific microorganisms and mechanisms driving these transformations remain largely unexplored. Additionally, the factors influencing microbial diversity and functionality in diverse habitats and their interactions with other organisms and pollutants require further investigation. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies offer opportunities to unravel these complex microbial processes. Therefore, the goal of this Research Topic is to uncover the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry pertaining to heavy metals, metalloids, and associated pollutants, providing valuable insights for environmental management and sustainable practices.
This Research Topic is closely aligned with the “Microbiological Chemistry and Geomicrobiology” section of Frontiers in Microbiology. We anticipate this TOPIC will contribute novel insights into the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry pertaining to heavy metals, metalloids, and associated pollutants in diverse environments. This knowledge could provide an important scientific foundation and technical resources to support environmental protection efforts and management strategies.
We welcome original research, reviews, and other types of articles addressing the following or related topics:
1. Microorganisms-mediated biogeochemical process and cycling of heavy metals and metalloids such as arsenic, antimony, mercury, cadmium, lead, and chromium across diverse habitats.
2. Exploration of microbial diversity and functional genes that drive the biogeochemical cycling of heavy metals and metalloids in various environments, such as freshwater lakes, soils, sediments, and more.
3. The factors and mechanisms that shape the microbial diversity and functionality in various habitats, focusing on their roles in the redox reactions of heavy metals, metalloids, and related pollutants.
4. The interactions between microorganisms and other biota (e.g., plants, animals, fungi) in diverse habitats, and their relationships with various pollutants (e.g., nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, antibiotics).
5. Application of high-throughput technologies (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to elucidate microbial ecology and biogeochemical transformations of heavy metals and metalloids across diverse habitats.
The problem addressed in this Research Topic is the need to understand the microbial diversity, function, and processes involved in the redox reactions of heavy metals, metalloids, and related pollutants. Despite their crucial role in biogeochemical cycling, the specific microorganisms and mechanisms driving these transformations remain largely unexplored. Additionally, the factors influencing microbial diversity and functionality in diverse habitats and their interactions with other organisms and pollutants require further investigation. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies offer opportunities to unravel these complex microbial processes. Therefore, the goal of this Research Topic is to uncover the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry pertaining to heavy metals, metalloids, and associated pollutants, providing valuable insights for environmental management and sustainable practices.
This Research Topic is closely aligned with the “Microbiological Chemistry and Geomicrobiology” section of Frontiers in Microbiology. We anticipate this TOPIC will contribute novel insights into the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry pertaining to heavy metals, metalloids, and associated pollutants in diverse environments. This knowledge could provide an important scientific foundation and technical resources to support environmental protection efforts and management strategies.
We welcome original research, reviews, and other types of articles addressing the following or related topics:
1. Microorganisms-mediated biogeochemical process and cycling of heavy metals and metalloids such as arsenic, antimony, mercury, cadmium, lead, and chromium across diverse habitats.
2. Exploration of microbial diversity and functional genes that drive the biogeochemical cycling of heavy metals and metalloids in various environments, such as freshwater lakes, soils, sediments, and more.
3. The factors and mechanisms that shape the microbial diversity and functionality in various habitats, focusing on their roles in the redox reactions of heavy metals, metalloids, and related pollutants.
4. The interactions between microorganisms and other biota (e.g., plants, animals, fungi) in diverse habitats, and their relationships with various pollutants (e.g., nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, antibiotics).
5. Application of high-throughput technologies (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to elucidate microbial ecology and biogeochemical transformations of heavy metals and metalloids across diverse habitats.
Keywords: environmental microbiology, arsenic redox, geomicrobiology, microbial redox, environmental contamination, bioremediation, metagenomic, transcriptome, microbial genome
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
